Massage cap



A ril 21, 1942. R. F. BUCKLEY' MASSAGE CAP Filed Sept. 6, 1940 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND FEucKLEY @JM ,%%m

ATTO EYs.

Patented Apr. 21, 1942 1 STA" ES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention is directed to a scalp massaging hood of the mechanically operated type and the general object is the provision of a unitary scalp massaging hood or cap having improved features of structure.

The specific object of the present invention is the provision of a scalp or massaging hood of the type mentioned which is adjustable and adaptable to variations in the shape of skulls of users.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a scalp massaging hood having such adjustable features that a large number of scalp massaging prongs or fingers of a particular size and length and of such flexible characteristics as to bend and yield may be caused to conform to localized irregularities of the cranium of the user while exerting sufiicient pressure to effect a satisfactory massaging action without irritation.

Other objects of the invention will hereinafter become apparent from the following description which refers to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof. The essential characteristics of the invention are summarized in the claim.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a massaging hood incorporating the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the hood structure substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of one of the adjusting elements comprising a part of the hood structure.

The hood or massaging device as shown in the drawings is particularly adaptable for use in a massaging machine which imparts an oscillatory orbital motion to the cap or hood without causing the prongs or fingers of the cap to ensnare the hair of the user and the novelty features of such a machine are disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 355,654.

The hood structure comprises primarily a molded rubber body 8 normally of geometrical shape, the rubber being of such resiliency and flexibility as to normally maintain the molded shape, yet such as to be readily deformable to thereby conform generally to a variety of skull shapes.

The body 8 is provided with an integrally formed hub 9 provided with an inwardly sloping annular flange In for ready attachment to the actuating member of the massaging machine. The particular machine above referred to, does not impart a rotary motion to the massaging hood but operates in such manner that an infinite number of arcuate paths are followed in the hood motion.

As shown, the internal surface of the hood body is spheroidal and integrally formed with the body and projecting from the internal surface are series or rows of elongated, coni-formed fingers or prongs l2 which are adapted to make contact with the scalp in varying degrees, depending upon the shape of the scalp. The degree of contact of the prongs with the scalp also varies during the massaging motion of the hood relative to the scalp.

The hood is provided with an outer perimeter structure or flange I3 and this flange and a substantial part of the body are divided by a V- shaped slot, indicated at M in Fig. 1, whereby the circumference of the perimeter l3 may be contracted or permitted to expand as desired whereby the hood may be properly fitted to different sized heads.

To maintain a desired adjustment of the perimeter of the hood an adjustable means in the form of fastener members l5 and [B are provided on each side of the slot I4. These fasteners serve as anchoring points for an adjusting strap I8 (see Fig. 3), the adjusting strap l8 being provided with fastener perforations l9 and 20 formed adjacent one end and 2|, 22 and 23 formed adjacent the other end which afiord, selectively, six fittings or adjustments of the hood flange or perimeter IS.

The fasteners I5 and I6, if desired, may be provided with firm support by molding the same into relatively hard rubber inserts 24, the latter being molded and secured into the hood body 8 during the course of the manufacture thereof.

It will be seen that any adjustment effected at the perimeter l3 of the hood structure will also be effective downwardly along the wall of the hood. The marginal edges of the slot I l may, if desired, be reinforced with ribs 25 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to thereby further cause the adjustment of the perimeter to be effective downwardly into the wall of the hood.

I have found that by predetermining the degree of resiliency and elasticity of the rubber compound and the thickness of the wall as well as the dimensions of the hub structure I can obtain a hood structure which is sufiiciently bodied to impart the mechanical motion, effected by the machine, to the scalp while obtaining complete adaptability of the hood to the head of the user and that no relative revolving motion between the scalp and the massaging prongs or fingers will take place.

It is recommended that the rubber compounds used in forming the molded hood structure should be such that the entire hood structure can be conveniently sterilized without deterioration of the fingers or prongs l2.

It will be noted that each series of the prongs or fingers l2 are substantially equidistantly spaced concentrically relative to the center of the hub formation 9 and do not extend radially relative to the locus or center of the internal spheroidal surface of the hood structure and I have found that for the available hood motion imparted by the massaging machine referred to about 400 fingers or prongs will suffice to effect a massaging action throughout the entire area of the scalp.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

A scalp treating implement comprising a bowl shaped body formed of flexible rubber and having a series of inwardly extending fingers formed to protrude from the bowl face thereof, said body having a slotted perimeter, a portion of said perimeter being reinforced about the slot therein, and means for contracting said perimeter whereby the body may be approximately fitted to different size human heads.

RAYMOND F. BUCKLEY. 

